CANYON, Texas (Feb. 13) – The TWU basketball team shot 57 percent from the three-point range and rallied from a 13-point deficit to take the lead in the fourth but fell short to the host No. 7 West Texas A&M, 73-69.  With the loss the Pioneers are now 18-7 on the season and 8-5 in the Lone Star Conference.
 
Junior Kenesha Saygo led three players in double figures with 17 points while junior Emily Spector came off the bench and added 15 points.  Junior Erin Maxwell added 11 points and a team-best six rebounds.  Senior Danielle Westerfield and junior Deja Pointer each finished with eight points.
 
WTAMU scored the game's first seven points and led 19-11 after the first quarter.  The Pioneers rallied in the second quarter to cut the deficit to two-points, 26-24 at 3:02 mark.  The Lady Buffs closed out the quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 37-24 halftime lead.
 
TWU again rallied in the third quarter to even the score at 47-47 with two minutes left on the clock.  Both teams traded baskets and the score was knotted at 51-51 after three quarter.
 
The Pioneers took their first lead of the game, 54-51, early in the fourth quarter on a three-point play by Spector.  WTAMU used a 7-0 run to regain the lead but TWU scored five straight to go back on top.  After five ties and three lead changes the game was again tied at 69-69 with 41 seconds left on the clock.  The Lady Buffs took a two-point lead on a pair of free throws and then forced a turnover before sealing the win with two more free throws.
 
"We showed a lot of resiliency and toughness to get back in the game after being down at the half," said TWU head coach Beth Jillson.
 
The Pioneers outrebounded WTAMU, 34-25, and hit 94 percent (17-for-18) of their free throws.  TWU finished the game 8-for-14 from the three-point range.
 
The Pioneers will return to action when they play their final road game of the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 18 at Texas A&M-Kingsville.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.